KRLT to Receive Wisconsin Land Trust of the Year Award

[River Falls, WI]  At the first annual Kinni River Barn Dance, A Kinni River Ramble Event, Mike Strigel, Executive Director of Gathering Waters Conservancy formally announced that the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust will be receiving the 2009 Wisconsin Land Trust of the Year Award on October 1st in Madison at their 2009 Land Conservation Leadership Awards Celebration.

In making the announcement before more than 150 donors and friends assembled at the barn dance, Strigel said, “For the past 15 years the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust has worked to protect nearly 2,100 acres of critical lands within the Kinnickinnic River Watershed in pursuit of their mission to preserve the health and beauty of this western Wisconsin river. This year, KRLT became the first land trust in Wisconsin to be accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.  The accreditation application and review process is no small task for an organization with just three paid staff.  Staff and board also made time last year to close key land conservation deals. Our hats are off and glasses raised to the “Kinni River” crew!”

In accepting the recognition, Board Chair Dan Wilkening indicated that “we are both thrilled and humbled to receive this award and look forward to continuing our efforts to keep the Kinni cold, clean and clear.”

Gathering Waters Conservancy is a state-wide organization whose mission is to help land trusts, landowners and communities protect the places that make Wisconsin special.  Information about Gathering Waters Conservancy can be found at http://www.gatheringwaters.org.

The Kinnickinnic River Land Trust is a community land trust whose mission is to work with the community to protect the natural resources and scenic beauty of the Kinnickinnic River Watershed.